Capsule-filling mechanism.



J. P. REMINGTON.

GAPSULE FILLING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 2a, 1908.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

4 SHEBTS SHBET 1.

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CAPSULE FILLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1908.

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CAPSULE FILLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1908. l ,O73,286.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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WITNESSESI INVENTORI M JOJEffl-[f/fflfiMJ/VGTQ/L W I J. P. REMINGTON.

CAPSULE FILLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2a, 1908.

1,07 3,286. Patented Sept. 16,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

llll Illll INVENTORI JOSE/71 FIE/7C! REM/X62 011,

- J OSEPH PERCY REMINGTON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

I CAPSULE-FILLING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent-0d Sept. 16', 1913.

- Application filed September 28, 1908. Serial N 0. 454,415.

To all who-21bit may concern Be it known that I, Josnrn Pnuor, REM- INGTON, of Philadelphia, in the. county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Capsule-Filling Mechanism,

\vhereof the following is a specification, refthe ejecting plate.

I11 the embodiment of my invention which I have shown in the drawings and will describe, I employ a pair of tables, one adapted to receive the cap members. and the other the cup members of the capsules. and it is in this respect similar to that disclosed in my Patent Number 899,761, issued Sept. 29, 1908, for capsule filling mechanism. By reference to said patent, it will be observed that the capsule members are clamped in both tables. In my present invention the cap portions are supported in their seats without compression while the cup portions are gripped in their table by distortion. I

In my present invention the ejecting means becomes a part of'one of the tables, thus doing away with the separate element required in my application above referred to.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is a plan view of the assemblage of the two elements of a capsule filler conveniently illustrating my invention. Fig. II, is a plan view of the table which is adapted to receive the cups of the capsules. Fig. III, is a side elevation of the two elements assembled and ready to receive the capsules,

the cap table being inverted on the cup table. Fig. IV, is a plan section ofthe cup table taken on line IV, IV, of Fig. III. Fig. V, is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line V, V, of Fig. II, showing the capsule cups therein. Fig. VI, is'a similar section of a modified form of cup table. Figs. VII toXV, inclusive, are fragmenaccording to plate 9..

tary sectional views illustrating the several steps in the process of filling the capsules my invention.- Fig. XVI, is a fragmentary view showing the method of clamping the cup of the capsule, to hold it in the cup table while the cap is withdrawn. Fig. XVII, is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, showing clearly the method of securing the cup of the capsule in the modified form of my invention.

The cap table 1, comprises three parallel plates, namely, the face plate 2, guide plate 3, and gate plate 4. The guide plate 3, is secured to and spaced from the face plate 2, by means of the posts 5, which are screwed, or otherwise fastened to said face The gate plate 4, is slidably secured to, and guided by said posts 5, by means of slots 10, which embracethe reduced portions of said posts as best shown in Fig. I, Said plate "I, is also provided with a handle 15, whereby it may be drawn to the extent allowed by its slots.

The plates 2, 3, and 4, areeach perforated with a plurality of apertures, 20, 21, and 22, respectively, said apertures accurately corresponding with each other, except when the gate plate 4, is shifted for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The apertures of the guide plate 3, and those of the gate plate 4, are the same in size,.being very slightly larger than the diameter of the cap of the capsule, and beveled to facilitate the insertion of the capsules, as clearly. shown in Figs. VII to XV. The apertures 20, in the face plate 2. are shouldered. as indicated at 25, (Figs. VII to XV), said shoulders forming an abutment for the edges of the caps of the capsules, for the purpose of holding them while the cups are withdrawn, as will be explained later.

The cup table 30, also comprises three plates, namely, the face plate 31, grip plate 32, and ejectingplate 33. To said face plate 31. are secured four posts 35, provided with enlarged portions 36. upon which the'plates 32, and 33, normally rest. The reduced portions 37, of the posts 35. act as guides for the grip plate 32. which is provided with apertures which loosely embrace the said reduced portions.

The ejecting plate 33, is loosely secured :to the grip plate 32, by means of screws 38, fastened in the bosses 39, which are integral with said plate 32. The said eiecti'ng plate 33, is provided with slots 40,- which are' shaped similar to a keyhole, the enlarged portion being adapted to loosely fit around the bosses 39, and the-elongated portlon to fit the shanks of the screws 38. The plates 32, and 33, may be separated as far as permitted by the heads of the screws 38, and then by grasping the handle 42, the ejecting plate 32, may 'be shifted to the rlght, as far as permitted by the elongated portions of the slots 40. The bosses 39, now act as spacers for a urpose which will belater explained. Said plate 33, is also'provided with the slots 43, which embrace the reduced portions 37, of the posts 35, and guide said plate in its lateral motion.

The face plate 2, of the cap table 1, 1s provided with four pins 45, which are adapted to engage with the holes 46, in the face plate 31, of the cup table 30, to insure the accurate registration of the-two plates as shown in Fig. III.

The face plate 31, and'the grip plate 32, are provided with a plurality of apertures 50, and 51, respectively,corresponding in number and adapted to register with those in the plates of the cap table 1. The apertures 50, in the face plate 31, are circular 1n form and are large enough in diameter to readily receive the cup portion of the capsules. The apertures 51, in the grip plate 32, are of a peculiar form, the four portions 51*, are segments of a circle which is slightly less in diameter than that of the cup portion of the capsule. The four curved recesses 51 allow for the amount of compression of the cup of the capsule when forced between the portions 51*. The distortion of the cross section of said capsule cup is clearly shown in Fig. XVI.

It will be observed that the gripping of the cups is effected by the slight distortion of the cup occasioned by seating a flexible elastic cylinder into an irregular aperture at least one diameter of which is less than that of the cylinder.

The operation of the device is as follows: The cap table 1, is placed upon the cup table 30, invertedly, and the gate plate 3, is shifted so that its apertures are in registry with those of the other two plates of said table 1, as clearly shown in Figs. I, and III. The grip and ejecting plates 32,

. and 33, respectively, are disconnectedly resting upon the shoulders of the posts on the cup table 30, the bosses 39, on said plate 32, resting within the enlarged portions of the slots 40, in ejecting plate 33, as shown in Fig. III. The assemblage of the tables 1,

Ejectincgl the shoulder in the circularaperture of the motion of said'splate, 4, being permitted by the en agcmentof its slots 10, w'iththe posts 5, oft e cap table 1.- The caps of the capsules are now locked between the face plate 2, and gate plate 4, as illustrated in Fig. VIII. The grip plate32, and ejecting plate 33, are then separated to theextent of the height of the bosses 39, and shifted laterally toward the right as far as permitted by the slots 40, as hereinbefore explained. This step is illustrated in Fig. IX. The plates 32, and 33, are thereupon raised vertically, until said grip plate 32, touches face plate 31, being guided by the reduced portions 37, of the posts 35, (Fig. X). The capsule cups are thereby gripped -in the apertures ofplate 32, and when freed the plates 32, and 33, drop, or may be manually depressed, carrying with them the capsule cups, untilthey again encounter the shoulders on the posts 35, as shown in Fig. XI. in which itwill be noticed that the extent of drop is just suflicient to'bring theedges of the capsules flush with the surface of the face plate 31. The two tables 1, and 30, may then be separated. leaving the cup table as shown in Fig. XII.

An alternative method. of operation is to remove the upper table with its caps, after reaching the position shown in Fig. X, and thereafter depressing. the plates 32, and 33, so as to bring the capsule cups in position with their rims flush with the surface of the face plate 31. The cups of the capsules may then be filled. and thereupon the cap table 1, is replaced upon-the cup table 30,

which would appear the same as in Fig. XI,

the plates .32, and 33, again raised to their full extent as in Fig. X, thereby replacing eachcup in its cap. The whole combination is then inverted as in Fig. XIII, thereupon the gate plate 4, of table 1, is againshifted to its initial position as shown in Fig. XIV. plate 33, is then shifted so that the enlarge portion of its slots 40, register with the bosses 39, of the grip plate 32. By pressing upon the said ejecting plate 33, the capsule .cups are released from the grip plate 32, as illustrated in Fig. XV, and drop out assembled and ready to be packed.

In the modification shown in Figs. VI, and XVII, the cup table 50, also consists of three plates 51, 52, and 53. In this form the ejecting plate 53, is perforated with circular apertures 54, beveled at the top edge for a purpose to be described later, and it is loosely fastened to the grip plate 52, by

means of screws 55, and also capable of a lateral motion to the extent and by reason of its slots 56, which embrace the shanks of ders'59, on said pins 58. The apertures 60,

in said grip plate 52, are circular and tapered toward the bottom as illustrated in Fig. VI, and on a larger scale in Fig. XVII. The cups of the capsules are forced into these apertures, which hold them by reason of their taper, effecting a slight distortion along the line of the vertical axis of the apertures of the cups. This form of cup table can be used in connection with the cap table shown 1n the other form, hence it has nottherefore been deemed necessary to'illustra'te its con nection therewith.

' The modified form is operated as'follows: The ejecting table 53, is grasped by 1ts handle 63, and shifted so that its apertures register with those of the grip plate 52. Plates 52, and 53, are then raised and the capsule cups are forced into the tapered grip plate 52, and their rounded ends project into the apertures of ertures being slightly larger than the diameter of the capsule cups. The ejection of capsules is accomplished by sliding the ejecting plate.

It will be observed that in the modified form of mechanism which I have described, the spacing between the face plate and the tapered plate, is such that when the cups are seated in the latter, their rims are some little distance-below the upper surface of the face plate. This is doubly desirable on account of the allowance which it affords for possible variation in the length of the cups due to irregularities of manufacture, and also because it permits an excess of material to be fed to the cup which is subsequently forcedup into the cap. These same advantages may be secured in the form of mechanism first described, by slightly increasing the length of the reduced ortion of the bosses 37, correspondingly raising the faceplate 31.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: a

1. In a capsule filling mechanism, means for handling the cap which comprises a plate perforated with a series of shouldered apertures; a parallel and similarly perforated locking plate; and means for shifting the locking plate laterally into position where the ribs between the apertures lock. the caps in their seat on the shoulders of the apertures of the first mentioned plate.

2. In a capsule filling mechanism, means for handling the-cap which comprises three parallel plates, each provided with a similar series of apertures, the lowermost plate having its apertures shouldered to seat the rims of caps, and the remaining plate being laterally shiftable to lock the cap in place on its seat. i I 3. In a capsule filling'mechanism, a grip plate rovided with a seat-forming aperture, t e inner wall of which is provided with spaced projecting engaging surfaces for compressing the closed end of the capsule member whereby it is retained in the grip plate.

In a. capsule filling mechanism, a grip plate provided with a seat-forming aperture, the inner wall of which is provided with spaced projecting engaging surfaces for compresslng and frictionally gripping the closed. end of. the capsule member, wherebyit is retained in the grip plate, and means and frictionally gripping for inserting the closed end of. said capsule I member in said seat-forming aperture.

5.'In a capsule filling machine, a grip plate rovided with a scat-forming aperture, t e inner wall of said aperture being constructed with certain sections thereof nearer the center of the aperture than others, whereby the end of the capsule member may be distorted and frictionally gripped and retained in said gripping plate.

6. In a capsule filling mechanism, means for handling the cup member comprising a plate provided with an aperture in which the cup fits; a second parallel plate with an aperture which can receive the cup member only when distorted, and means for allow-- ing said plates to approach one another.

In a capsule filling mechanism, the combination of a perforated plate with apertures adapted to receive cup members; a second perforated plate capable of being moved in parallel relation to the first mentioned plate'to force said capsule members into the apertures of said second mentioned plate, said apertures being of such shape as to distort the cross section of said capsule member and thereby grip them.

8. In a capsule filling mechanism, means for handling the cup member, comprising three parallel plates, two of which are similarly apertured; the plate constituting seats capable of receiving cups; the apertures of the second plate being capable of receiving the cups when distorted, and the third plate constituting a rest for the bottom of the. cup; together with means for shifting the two latter plates toward the first mentioned plate respectivcl for the purpose of gripping the cup in its place after distortion, and of ejecting it.

9. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of a perforated plate with apertures adapted to receive capsule members; another perforated plate capable of being moved in parallel relation to the first mentioned plate, to force said capsule members into the apertures of said second mentioned apertures of the first plate; a third nnperforatcd plate capable of moving with said second mentioned plate, and of being set in fixed parallel relation thereto to allow it to receive said capsule members, the third mentioned plate being also adapted to move in parallel relation to the second mentioned plate to release said capsule members therefrom and eject them through the first mentioned plate.

10. In a ca sule filling apparatus, the combination 0 a perforated plate with apertures adapted to receive capsule members,

another perforated plate capable of being moved in parallel relation to the first mentioned plate to force said capsule members into the apertures of said'second mentioned plate; a third perforated plate capable of movin with said second mentioned plate and of being shifted with relation thereto so thati'its apertures register with those of the other plates to allow for the insertion of said capsule members; said third mentioned plate also being adapted to be shifted so that its apertures are out of registry with those of the other plates,.therebyireleasing said capsule members from said second plate and ejecting them from the first mentioned which is perforated, and which are spaced in parallel relation 'to each other, so as to form a supporting seat forthe cu-p inserted through the perforation of the perforated plate; in combination with means for ermitting the two plates to be brought into contact whereby the cup may be ejected from the aperture in the perforated plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this twenty-first day of September JOSEPH PERCY REJHINGTQN.

Witnesses: i v i i i James H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

